Chicago Latino Film Festival Turns 34

For 34 years the Chicago Latino Film Festival has entertained crowds and brought artists from all over the world some much needed attention to their projects.

Some may not know there is cutural planning year round from the International Latino Cutlural Center and this is only one of the many spectacular events on its calendar.

Special events for the festival once again are the perfect place to mingle with cinephiles and enjoy a cocktail before after the films.

This year the group once again kicked things off with a pre-party at Fulton Market Kitchen in the West Loop. The staff is always very courteous and served up some delicious appetizers, before announcements were made.

For opening night on April 5 a short film from Puerto Rico called From Now On was screened at the AMC River East. Afterwards an after party was thrown at the event space Chez right around the corner from the movie theater.

A DJ, drinks, and empanadas were all part of the fiesta that evening.

Closing night tickets are still available and include a screening of the thriller The Summit/La Cordillera. A reception follows, once again at Chez, 247 E. Ontario St.

Award winning actor Ricardo Darin will be present to accept the Gloria Career Achievement Award, so should be a special night.

Last Days in Havana, Dear Mom, and Berenice are just some of the feature length movies with LGBT content that have run throughout the festival. Before Today, Not Yet, and Elena were a few short films that highlighted our community mixed into the screenings.

For a full schedule visit ChicagoLatinoFilmFestival.org. Now, if we can just move into the future with a more inclusive name for the festival, possibly drop the O or even add an X. We get it, branding is hard to change and this movie fest is a treat every year no matter what.